Auckland native tree protest reaches 150 days as resource consent lodged to develop site
Friday, 4 December 2020
A group protesting the removal of native trees in Auckland has learnt the identity of the developer who purchased the land, as the protest reaches its 150th day.
Save Canal Road Native Trees has been occupying privately owned land on Canal Rd in Avondale for 150 days.
Protesters learnt some 100-year-old native trees were being cut down on July 8 and the protest began.
Despite some attempts, no trees have been cut down at the site since July 21.
**READ MORE:
* Native tree protest in Auckland grows as protester ties himself to digger
* Native tree protest in Auckland continues as man creates suspended platform
* Native tree protest continues as police are unable to get man down from karaka
* Auckland activist occupying pūriri in protest nearly hit by falling tree
**
Just this week, protester Steve Abel said locals learnt a resource consent to develop the land at 52, 54, 56 and 58 Canal Rd had been lodged on November 17.
Insight Property Group wanted to build 32 townhouses and 32 car parks, he said.
Abel said those protesting the removal of the trees had never had any contact with the developer.
He said they needed to front up to the community and speak to those against the trees being cut down.
Abel said 16 significant trees were still standing at the site – and he had never seen a tree protest like the one at Canal Rd.
It was a “daily vigil” and highlighted the issue of the lack of tree protection.
Despite a resource consent being lodged for development at the site, protesters said they would not be backing down.
Local resident Juressa Lee said the group intended to maintain its daily roster of tree-sitting throughout the Christmas period to stop any attempts to cut down more trees.
“We welcome new housing, and we know it should be done in a way that keeps precious trees like these standing and recognises the huge benefits of green space to the community, our birds and creatures, our climate, and our well-being.”
The group says it has had a lot of support from Canal Rd residents – although some had had enough.
Cecelia Te Tana had lived on the street for three years and was fully in support of the protest.
Native trees were important to Māori, Te Tana said, and the trees had obviously been put there for a reason.
She was sad to see what had already been cut down and was against any more being removed.
Te Tana said she believed the native trees enhanced the area, and she found them calming.
Other residents said they were also in full support of the protest, and had done what they could to be part of it.
However, one resident who had lived on Canal Rd for 20 years said at times, the protest had added to congestion on the street and made it a hassle.
Pologa Tuafafo said he liked trees but the land purchaser should be able to do what they wanted with it.
Save Canal Road Native Trees has called on Auckland Council to buy the property as a public reserve.
The group also wants the Government to reinstate general tree protection.
In July, Goff told Stuff his team was working hard to reverse amendments made to the Resource Management Act in 2012 that allowed for trees to be cut down on private properties without consent.
“There are groups of trees like this all over our city that have no protection. We need to reverse the amendments [made] in 2012 and the best way to protect these trees is to get change in the legislation to get group protection.”
Auckland Council’s environment committee said it would explore the legal aspects first, and told protesters it did not want to offer any false hope that it could be possible.
Insight Property Group refused to comment.